were
verbUsed with a past participle to show that something happened to someone or something.
verbUsed to say that multiple people or things existed, or had qualities at a time in the past.
verbUsed to show that two things are the same or equal.
verbUsed to say that multiple people or things had certain qualities or features.
verbUsed to say that something happened or took place.
verbUsed to show that multiple people or things stayed in one place.
"were" does not follow standard phonics patterns and should be memorized.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: Letter W
The letter W makes the /w/ sound, like in 'win', 'wet', and 'web'. The lips round into an O shape.
W is a voiced bilabial approximant — the lips round tightly then open as voice flows. W is sometimes silent (write, wrong) and can act as a vowel in some combinations (aw, ew, ow).
Tip
W rounds your lips — make an O then say /w/!
Examples
Phonics Rule: ERE says /ɪər/ (here)
ERE can make the /ɪər/ sound, like in 'here' and 'mere'.
ERE says /ɪər/ (the 'ear' sound) in here, mere, sphere, severe, atmosphere.
Tip
Come here, my dear — here, mere, sphere!
Examples
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